Children's ServicesThe Youth Endowment Fund’s Children’s Services and Violence Prevention practice guidance sets out seven evidence‑informed recommendations to help local areas strengthen their responses to extra‑familial harm and reduce violence involving children. Alongside the guidance, we’ve produced a series of short videos featuring members of our Strategic Advisory Group, including a sector leader, researcher and Youth Advisory Board member who helped shape the work.
These conversations explore what effective safeguarding looks like, how young people’s voices can shape change, and what reforms are needed to build systems that protect children both inside and outside the home.
Protecting children from serious violence
A discussion exploring what children’s services need to get right to prevent serious violence. The group reflect on the role of multi‑agency safeguarding, the importance of centring children’s needs, and how lived experience strengthens practice.
Young people shaping change
A conversation about why young people must be meaningfully involved in shaping the systems designed to protect them. The speakers highlight how youth insight challenges assumptions and improves safeguarding responses.
The role of young people in shaping services
Youth Advisory Board member Nio reflects on why young people’s insights must guide policy and practice. He discusses the importance of questioning whether services truly work for young people and the need for coordinated, accountable support.
Reflection on safeguarding children in care
Nio shares why the guidance’s recommendation on children in care resonates with him. He reflects on disparities in care experiences, how early signs of crisis are often misinterpreted, and the risks of criminalising distress.
Hopes for the future
Nio explains why he joined the Youth Advisory Board and what he hopes to see change in the next five years — from valuing lived experience as evidence to improving multi‑agency working and ensuring every young person has a trusted professional.
Prioritising extra-familial harm (EFH)
Professor Carlene Firmin explains why serious youth violence must be recognised as a safeguarding issue. She outlines how national and local systems currently separate criminal justice and safeguarding responses — and why this leaves children at risk.
Contextual safeguarding and children in care
Carlene explores how contextual safeguarding challenges traditional assumptions about care. She explains why children affected by extra‑familial harm may still be unsafe when moved into care, and why creating safety in local environments is essential.
The Prioritising Protection report
Carlene summarises findings from the Prioritising Protection report, highlighting the inconsistent landscape of multi‑agency responses to extra‑familial harm and the need for reforms that embed extra‑familial harm from the outset.
Strengthen multi-agency capability to respond to EFH
Carlene explains the evolution of MACE panels, the risks of duplication, and the conditions under which multi‑agency panels add real value — particularly when focused on themes, locations and welfare‑led practice.
Visions for change
Contributors share their vision for the future, including: consistent safeguarding pathways, well‑resourced support, anti‑racist practice, and multi‑agency systems that work together to meet children’s needs and keep them safe.